There it is in your inbox. Another event invitation.

The excitement of receiving an invitation and the anticipation of attending an event can be tantalizing.

As an entertainment writer for my city, it’s not uncommon for my staff and I to receive dozens of invitations a month to happenings we may have written about or sponsored recently.

But as much as I’d like to be in three places at once some nights, you have to realize that it’s okay to say no. This applies to networking cocktail hours and promotional events as well as book club meetings, girls’ nights and group playdates.

One term I came across a few years back was “FOMO” – a highly contagious syndrome that’s main symptom is the “fear of missing out” – and I suffer from it severely.

What if I miss that introduction to a new client? What if don’t break that incredible story that no one has written about yet? What if I miss out on a great interview? What if my friends have an awesome time without me? What if Ryan Gosling shows up?

These are questions I ask myself all the time when figuring out how to balance my “day-turned-to-night” job as well as my actual social life (unrelated to work).

Don’t get me wrong, some of the best networking and potential business deals have been initiated at post-work happy hours and press box seats — but you need to give yourself a break.

Just this past week, I was requested to cover the Michael Buble concert, fashion week runway show, Ad Week presentation and sponsorship happy hour at the local art gallery. All on the same day, all at the same time.

My solution? I picked one, assigned one and respectfully declined the remaining two.

It took me almost a full year at my job to realize RSVP-ing “no” was ok. And while my friends were always happy to see me, it wouldn’t hurt their feelings if every now and then I don’t make it out with them. No one was forcing me to attend these events, but I convinced myself that if I scheduled religiously, I could make everything fit.

I played that game for awhile, but lack of sleep and burn out soon followed.

Take my advice and pace yourself in whatever you’re trying to accomplish. Be out there in your field and social life and stay active, but don’t feel the need to attend everything and anything you’re invited to.

Do your research and pick and choose the events, presentations and programs that will benefit your professional life and/or your happiness the most. It might be hard to self-edit your own calendar, but in the end it will be worth it.

There will always be another opportunity to make an impression. So stay in on a Friday night and recharge every once in awhile.

You productivity will skyrocket when you’re focused and on top of your game, not when you’re exhausted and sleepy from attending two events the night before.

Besides, there’s a Ryan Gosling movie marathon on tonight — and that’s something you always have to RSVP “yes” to.

Posted on 10/1/2013

Written by Kathryn Przybyla

Kathryn is a social media maven and content producer based in Buffalo, N.Y. who enjoys blogging and interviewing fascinating people. When not tweeting, she is an avid tennis player, Irish dancer and weekend road trip warrior. Kathryn loves old buildings, brand new notebooks and hasn’t discovered a cuisine she didn’t like. You can follow her on Twitter here: @katprz.

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